Reagan put what was best for America ahead of narrow ideology. He agreed with free trade in principle, but was able to recognize market distortions caused by dumping and single-sided "free trade" with foreign competitors.
Unfortunately, "free trade" has become almost a religion in some sections of the conservative movement and the Republican Party, to the point where they value free trade purity more than the national interest.
12 posted on 03/30/2016 10:07:30 AM PDT by ek_hornbeck